| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| Wednesday, October 6, 2008 |
Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 357-3507 |
HHS’ Administration on Aging
Provides Disaster Assistance to Texas Seniors
HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell announced that Texas has received $65,000 to assist in relief efforts as a result of devastation created by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which struck the Texas coast and surrounding communities late this summer.
The funds will provide thousands of elder hurricane victims with necessary community services, ongoing information, counseling and case management, replacement of shelf stable meals used for emergencies, as well as transportation, home repair, chore services and continued clean up of debris from the hurricanes so that they can return to their homes.
“This grant to the Texas aging network will help in providing our seniors with some of the assistance they need to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible,” Assistant Secretary Carbonell said.
These hurricanes caused thousands of individuals, including many seniors with special needs, to flee from their homes. Many of the facilities used as delivery sites for meals and other services were destroyed or damaged. Power outages continue to be an obstacle for many individuals to return home or to receive services that allow them to remain independent.
On August 29, 2008, President Bush issued an emergency declaration for the state of Texas in response to conditions caused by Hurricane Gustav. To address the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike on September 12, the President designated 29 counties in Texas as eligible for federal assistance on September 13, 2008. To support state and local efforts, the Administration on Aging (AoA) continues to work closely with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to offer ongoing relief to those individuals and communities impacted by the two hurricanes.
Information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics to assist elders, families, and caregivers can be found on the AoA Web site at: http://www.aoa.gov Information on Emergency Preparedness can be found at http://www.aoa.gov/prof/preparedness/preparedness.aspx
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